SAINT VALENTINE, MARTYR (269 A.D.)

 

SAINT VALENTINE

Priest and Martyr

SIMPLE / RED

During the persecution under Emperor Claudius II, Valentine, a zealous priest in Rome, ministered boldly to the martyr. He was arrested and taken before the prefect, who made tempting offers to induce him to apostatize. Finding that he was wasting his breath, the prefect condemned Valentine to death. The beheading took place on February 14, about the year 270. The true follower of Christ ignores worldly caution when he is called upon to bear witness to Jesus. "The inclination of the flesh is death, but the inclination of the spirit, life and peace" (Rom. 8:6)

 

INTROIT Psalms 20: 2-3

In Thy strength, O Lord, the just man
shall joy: and in Thy salvation he shall
rejoice exceedingly: Thou hast given
him his heart's desire. (Ps. 20: 4) For
Thou hast prevented him with
blessings of sweetness: Thou hast set
on his head a crown of precious
stones. Glory be to the Father, and to
the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it
was in the beginning, is now, and ever
shall be, world without end. Amen. In
Thy strength, O Lord, the just man
shall joy: and in Thy salvation he shall
rejoice exceedingly: Thou hast given
him his heart's desire.

 

GLORIA

 

COLLECT

O Almighty God, today we are celebrating the birthday of Your blessed Martyr Valentine. Hear his prayers and rescue us from all the dangers that threaten us. Through Our Lord . . .

 

 LESSON Wisdom 10: 10-14

The Lord conducted the just through
the right ways, and showed him the
kingdom of God, and gave him the
knowledge of holy things: made him
honorable in his labors, and
accomplished his labors. In the deceit
of them that overreached him, He
stood by him, and made him
honorable. He kept him safe from his
enemies, and He defended him from
seducers, and gave him a strong
conflict, that he might overcome, and
know that wisdom is mightier than all.
He forsook not the just when he was
sold, but delivered him from sinners:

He went down with him into the pit.
And in bands He left him not, till He
brought him the sceptre of the
kingdom, and power against those
that oppressed him: and shewed them
to be liars that had accused him, and
the Lord our God gave him everlasting
glory.
 

GRADUAL Psalms 111: 1-2

Blessed is the man that feareth the
Lord: he delighteth exceedingly in His
commandments. His seed shall be
mighty upon earth: the generation of
the righteous shall be blessed.
 

Alleluia, alleluia. O Lord, Thou hast
set on his head a crown of precious
stones. Alleluia

 

GOSPEL Matthew 10: 34-42

 At that time, Jesus said to His
disciples: Do not think that I came to
send peace upon earth: I came not to
send peace, but the sword. For I came
to set a man at variance against his
father, and the daughter against her
mother, and the daughter in law
against her mother in law. And a man's
enemies shall be they of his own
household. He that loveth father or
mother more than Me, is not worthy of
Me; and he that loveth son or
daughter more than Me, is not worthy
of Me. And he that taketh not up his
cross, and followeth Me, is not worthy

of Me. He that findeth his life, shall
lose it: and he that shall lose his life
for Me, shall find it. He that receiveth
you, receiveth Me: and he that
receiveth Me, receiveth Him that sent
Me. He that receiveth a prophet in the
name of a prophet, shall receive the
reward of a prophet: and he that
receiveth a just man in the name of a
just man, shall receive the reward of a
just man. And whosoever shall give to
drink to one of these little ones a cup
of cold water only in the name of a
disciple, amen I say to you, he shall
not lose his reward.
 

OFFERTORY Psalms 8: 6-7

Thou hast crowned him with glory and
honor: and hast set him over the
works of Thy hands, O Lord.

 

SECRET

O Lord, graciously accept the gifts we offer You, and let them help us in our salvation through the merits of Your blessed Martyr Valentine. Through Our Lord . . .

 

COMMUNION Matthew 16: 24

If any man will come after Me, let him
deny himself and take up his cross
and follow Me.

 

POSTCOMMUNION

May this heavenly Sacrament bring us health of soul and body, O Lord, and may the intercession of the blessed Martyr Valentine make us feel the power of the Sacred Rite which we have celebrated. Through Our Lord . . .